My Favorite Experience Yet – Baby Washing

So the first saturday we arrived in Cochabamba we we’re given a tour of the city. Towards to end of the tour we reached the main square in the centre of the city, where we noticed some people setting up a tent and marque. We went to investigate.

As we got closer we could see the people we’re setting up a place to wash babies, children, men and women who we’re living on the streets. As I gazed in amazement, before having chance to take it all in an american guy shouted over ‘hey do u wanna help?’ Still digesting this overwhelming reality presented to me, stood in totally awe of what was going on I said yes, rolled my sleeves up and moved towards the baby bath tubs set up with children stood around waiting to be washed.

Before I even managed to get to the tubs a little boy no older than 3 came running towards me arms stretched out for me to show him some love and pick him up. At first I was unsure what to do, I’m thinking is this appropriate? and for a spilt second I questioned weather I should pick him up. Then I look at this beautiful vulnerable young boy, with the dirt and grit of the streets discolouring his face and such an innocent gaze of longing to be loved in his eyes, I thought how could I possibly say no? The moment I picked him up his smile melted my heart and I could just see how strong the desire was for this child to be shown love and affection.

The more children I saw the more I noticed this desire was much more than just this one little boy but most children that I was surrounded by. For some I could see we’re very hardened from the horrendous lifestyle they live and showed very little or no emotion at all and didn’t want to interact, just simply washed and left again.

The girls have such beautiful, long and thick hair it was difficult to wash over the tub as it got all knotty, leave in conditioner is defo needed for next week. Its hard to believe the living situations of these beautiful young children, living in environments that I just cannot even comprehend. The stench that comes from their hair, body and clothes is so strong I couldn’t put it into words other than a smell of the street. Looking down into the bath tubs after each child washed the water was filthy and that’s just from their hair. Its hard to believe that this time is most probably the only time each we they get the opportunity to wash. Its heartbreaking!

We’ve done this for the last 2 saturdays and its been so enjoyable. One of the most memorable experiences of my life and actually up there with the best as well. Some people may think ‘how can washing homeless people be one of the best experiences of your life?’ Sounds quite bizarre I know, yes it doesn’t sound the most pleasurable of experiences and yeah its dirty and I leave feeling pretty grimey n quite itchy from the fleas and lice but non of that seems to matter when u see the joy on these peoples faces from clean water.

It really puts into perspective life and how we live it, such simple things we take for granted that these people would literally give anything for. I couldn’t even imagine having to sleep on the street for one night never mind been born on the streets and that been my whole life!

A very valuable and humbling life experience. I am already looking forward to next week!